Apparatus for sterilization of flour or the like



Jan. 18, 1944. K. H. CONLEY 2,339,738

APPARATUS FOR STERILIZATION OF FLOUR OR THE LIKE Filed- Sept. 17, SL940 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 NVENTOR kaer/lfa/vzf) g Jan. 18, 1944. K. H. CONLEY 3 APPARATUS FOR STERILIZATION 0F FLOUR OR THE LIKE Filed Sept. 1'7, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 l NVENTOR v Amr (01v: Er

Jan. 18; 1944. K. H. CONLEY 2,339,738

APPARATUS FOR STERILIZATION OF FLOUR OR THE LIKE Filed Sept. '17, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR 4 1/27 A4 (an/45y -ATTOR EYS n. 8', 1944. K. H. CQNLEY 2,339,738

APPARATUS FOR STERILIZATION 0F FLOUR OR THE LIKE Filed Sept. 17, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR we? (an/45y Patented Jan. 18, 1944 APPARATUS FOR STERI LIZATION OR THE LIKE F FLOUR Kurt H. Conley, Bridgeport, Conn., assignor to The Safety Car Heating and Lighting Company, Inc., a corporation of Delaware Application September 17, 1940, Serial No. 357,086

8 Claims. This invention relates to apparatus for sterilization or deinfestation of milled produce such as flour, cereals, etc., and more particularly to a machine for destroying insect life in any of its stages which may infest the produce.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide an inexpensive flour sterilizing machine, which is capable of rapidly treating large quantities of flour, to destroy such insect life as may be present therein. Another object is to provide a machine of the above nature which is sturdy and simple in construction-and reliable and efficient in operation. Another object is to provide a machine of the above nature which may be easily installed and operated, and the various parts of which are readily accessible for replacement or repair. Other objects will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter,

the like: Serial No. 321,680, filed March 1, 1940;

Serial No. 296,543, filed September 26, 1939; Serial No. 296,544, filed September '26, 1939; and, Serial No. 345,715, filed July 16, 1940. Subject matter common to the present application and any Smith application is covered in the latter.

Referring now to Figure 1, my machine includes a base generally indicated at III, which is secured to a casing generally indicatedat l l, the two being fastened together as by bolts l2, and supported by a suitable number of legs 13. A motor I4 is mounted on base l0, and through a belt and pulley drive generally indicated at I5,

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts, as will be exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein I have shown one embodiment of my invention,

v Figure l is a front elevation of my machine, certain portions being shown in section and others being broken away;

Figure 2 is a reduced top plan view of the machine shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section of the insect destroying instrumentalities of my machine;

Figure 4 is a horizontal section taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 1, a portion thereof being broken away;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical section show ing'a portion of the lubricating system in my machine;

Figure 6 is a vertical section taken along the line 6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure '7 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section of a portion of the rotor;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the spindle housing supporting spring; and,

Figure 9 is a horizontal section taken along the line 99 of Figure 1.

Similar reference characters refer to similar part throughout the various views of the drawmgs.

The disclosure of the present application relates to the subject matter of the following applications of Franklin S. Smith, each entitled "Method and apparatus for sterilizing flour and bosses I9, 20, 2| and 22.

operates a spindle rotatably mounted in a spindle housing l6. Spindle housing l6 isin turn flexibly mounted in casing l I in a manner specifically described below. The upper end of the spindle has secured thereto a. rotor generally indicated at ll, which directly receives the flour which flows into the upper part of casing II. The flour is forced by centrifugal force through rotor I1 and falls through channels (described below) in casing ll into such conduit or hopper (not shown) as may be desirably attached thereto, During the passage of the flour through rotor ll, such insect life as maybepresent is destroyed in a manner which will be more particularly described hereinafter, so that the flour passing down through casing H is free of infestation.

As shown in Figure 1, motor M has a mounting flange Ma which is bolted to a mounting plate l8 (Figure 2) having formed thereon Through these bosses, the latter three of'which are slotted for a purpose to be described, extend mounting studs 23, boss 2| also having threaded through one end thereof a set screw 24. As shown in Figure 1, studs 23 are threaded into the top 25 of base l0. Base III also includes a bottom 26 spaced sufliciently below top 25 to form a transmission chamber 25a or the like into which extends the lower end 2'! of the armature shaft of motor M. A pulley 28 is attached in any desirable manner to end 27 of the armature shaft. e

To provide access to the interior of chamber 25a, an opening 30 is formed therein, provided with a trap door 29 hinged'to bottom 26, the trap door being held closed by suitable wing nuts and swing bolts generally indicated at 3|. Trap door 29 also has an opening 32 across which is stretched a piece 33 of material, such as flannel, whichacts as a breather for transmission chamber 25a.

Still referring "to Figure 1, base In has a flange 34 to which is bolted'by bolts I2 a flange 35 formed on casing II. Flange 35 frames the opening into an interior portion of casing II, which forms a continuation of transmission chamber 250.

Casing II includes a horizontal partition or base portion 36 which has bolted thereto a bracket generally indicated at 31. Bracket 31 includes a U-shaped base 36 which surrounds an opening 39 normally closed by a hemispherical shell 40 having a drainage plug 4| in the bottom thereof. Shell 40 is bolted to the bottom of partition 36 and forms a catch basin for any oil dripping into the transmission chamber.

Bracket 31 also includes a pair of upwardly extending diverging arms, such as arm 42, which has a relatively heavy boss 43 formed at the outer end thereof. Cast with arm 42 is another boss 44 through which extends a set screw and lock nut 45, the former of which is adjustable to bear against the top of partition 36 and accordingly support arm 42. The other arm of bracket 31 is similar to arm 42, but is spaced therefrom to provide therewith a pair of spaced'supports to which the free ends of a U-shaped spring 46 (see also Figure 8) are attached, as by bolts, such as bolt 41 (Figure 1) which extends through boss 43. Bolt 41 is threaded to a clamp nut 48 which when taken up securely clamps one end of spring 46 against boss 43. The closed or circular end 49 of spring 46 has bolted thereto a flange 50, which extends at right angles from a semi-circular wall both of which form preferably integral parts of a pulley housing generally indicated at 52. Pulley housing 52 is bolted to the bottom of spindle housing I6, and forms therewith a unitary structure resiliently mounted on a support I80 (Figure 3) as will be more fully described below.

In the upper portion of pulley housing 52 (Figure 5) is formed a transverse web 54 having a centrally disposed boss 55 formed therewith through which extends a bore 56. An annular flange 51 forms the top of pulley housing 52, and to this flange spindle housing I6 is bolted, as by studs and nuts 58, a gasket preferably being clamped therebetween.

As shown in Figure 5, the lower end of spindle housing I6 has an internal flange 59 formed therein to provide a stop against which a felt washer 60 is pressed by a shoulder 6| of a bearing housing generally indicated at 62. Bearing housing 62 includes a cylindrical portion 63 within which the outer race of a ball bearing 64 is secured by a bearing retaining disc 65 bolted against a flange 66 on the lower portion of bearing housing 62 by studs 61 threaded into the lower portion of spindle housing I6. It should be noted that portion 63 of bearing housing 62 is disposed within the bottom 16a. of spindle housing I6 and is slightly reduced as at 60 to provide a small channel for the flow of lubricant to a port formed in the bearing housing. and communicating with hearing 64. Thus at least a portion of any oil gathering in the bottom of spindle housing I6 flows through and is filtered by felt washer 60 into channel 69 through port 10 to bearing 64. Any other oil gathering in the bottom of the spindle housing may flow through a hole 1| formed in the spindle housing into a chamber 12 formed by web 54 of pulley housing 52.

i As shown in Figure 3, the upper end of spindle housing- I6 is provided with a Journal 13 in which a bushing 14 is held as by a force fit, for example. It will now appear that bushing 14 and ball bearing 64 (Figure 5) comprise journals for a spindle generally indicated at I5. Thus spindle 15 includes a reduced portion 16 about which is forced the inner race of ball bearing 64, the bottom end I1 of the spindle being further slightly reduced and provided with a key 18 so as to receive a pulley 19 which is held thereon by suitable lock nuts and washers generally indicated at 80. Disposed about end 11 of spindle 15 and clamped between the inner race of ball bearing 64 and the hub of pulley 19 is a pump impeller generally indicated at 8|, which isgenerally cup-shaped and provided with a flange 82 formed and disposed to rotate within an annular channel 83 formed in pulley housing web 54. The top of channel 83 is substantially closed by ring or washer 84 screwed to web 54, the inner peripheryof this plate clearing the outer periphery of'impeller 8| by a suitable amount.

A hole 85 formed in pulley housing web 54 communicates with channel 83 and also with a vertically extending hole 86, also formed in the pulley housing. Hole 86 in turn communicates or is connected to a hole 81 formed in the lower portion of spindle housing I6 and the upper end of this latter hole receives the bottom end of a pipe 88. Pipe 88 extends upwardly within spindle housing I6, and its upper end is connected to a litting 89 threadedinto spindle housing I6 within a cylindrical drilling 94 capped by an oil hole cover 94a. Oil hole or drilling 94 communicates as by a port 9| with an annular groove 92 formed in the upper end of the spindle housing and adjacent the central portion of bushing 14, which portion has one or more holes 14a formed therein through which oil can flow to lubricate the spindle. Such oil as flows through holes 9| and 14a and does not flow upwardly and downwardly of bushing 14, flows through another hole 93 formed in the upper end of spindle housing I6 and into a channel 9311 from which it may drain, to the interior of spindle housing I6 to collect in the bottom thereof, see Figure 5, and pass either through felt washer 60 or through hole 1| as hereinbefore described.

It will thus appear that upon rotation of spindle I5, and accordingly impeller 8|, oil is forced by impeller flange 82 through holes 85, 86 and 81 into pipe 88, and accordingly into oil hole 94 (Figure 3). Fromhere the oil flows through holes 14a in bushing 14 and then drains into the bottom of the spindle housing to lubricate ball bearing 64 (Figure 5). Preferably I provide a drain pipe 96 which communicates with hole 85 in pulley housing web 54 to drain chamber I2 when desired.

With reference to Figure 3, it may be seen that the upper end 98 of spindle 15 is tapered and has secured thereto a key 99, the taper corresponding with a tapered opening I00 in rotor head I 1a. This tapered opening I00 also has a keyway which receives key 99 when the-rotor is assembled to spindle 15. The upper end of spindle 15 (Figure 3), i. e. the end extending upwardly of taper 98 (Figure l), is threaded to receive an interiorly threaded nut I0 I provided with a flange I02 at its bottom. When nut |0I is threaded on the end of spindle 15, flange I02 presses against the top of rotor head Ila to hold the rotor on the spindle. The upper end of rotor end l1a is exteriorly threaded to receive a generally frusto-conical spreader I03 provided with a lip I04 adapted to fit on top of nut flange I02. After and diaphragm and are nut I02 and spreader I03 are assembled, the

spreader is staked as at I05 to connect it per-' manently to the top of rotor head I1a. It may now be seen that when nut I from the top of spindle 15, its flange I02 pulls upwardly againstspreader lip I04 and accordingly lifts rotor I1 off the top of thespindle.

Inasmuch as the oil which lubricates spindle 16 (Figures 3 and 5) must be completely segregated from the flour which is treated by rotor 11, I provide adjacent the top of spindle housing I6 a running seal generally indicated at I06 (Fig ure 3). Seal I06 includes a generally cylindrical seal body I01, the upper portion of which is annularly grooved as at I08 to receive a seal I09 secured in the groove as by cement H0. The

lower portion of seal body I01 has a flange III against the bottom of which is clamped a flexible diaphragm II2 by a ring II3, screws II4 extending through the ring and diaphragm and being threaded into flange III to hold the several parts together. Preferably screws II 4 are cemented in their holes by oil-proof cement.

The outer portion of diaphragm N2 of seal I06 is clamped against an annular extension II5 of spindle housing I6 by a diaphragm ring II 6-, the ring being held on the extension as by screws H1 or the like, which extend through the ring sion. When oil seal I06 is in its assembled operative position, seal body I01 surrounds the upper end of journal 13 and is movable relative thereto by reasonof the flexibility of diaphragm II2. Thus seal I06 is adapted to be biased upwardly, as will be explained, so that the upper portion of seal I09 may be pressed against a seal ring II8 secured to the bottom of rotor head I1a, and having a close sliding fit with portion 15a of spindle 15. Preferably seal ring H8 is formed I is unthreaded,

threaded into the exten-.-

of hard steel whereas seal I09 is formed of graphite, thereby providing an efilcient running seal to preclude flow of oil from inside spindle housing I6 into casing II. Thus the oil is efficiently and completely segregated from the flour .treated by rotor I1, but is free to fiow within seal body I 01 about the upper end of journal 13 and a portion of spindle 15 extending 'thereabove as the seal body is slightly spaced from the journal and spindle.

As noted above, seal body I06, and accordingly seal I09, are preferably biased upwardly against seal ring IIB-and to this end. as shown in Figure 3, I provide a suitable number of seal.

plungers II9 slidably mounted in holes provided therefor in the upper part of spindle housing I6. Each plunger I I9 has a cap l20 pressed against the bottom of ring II vening the cap and the bottom of channel 94. Thus, an oil-tight seal between spindle 15 and rotor I1 precludes escape of the oil from its proper channels of flow. It might be added 3 by a spring I2I inter-.

that lubrication of the running seal is obtained not only from graphite ring I09, but also from oil vapor issuing from the oil forced between bushing 14 and spindle "I5 adjacent the top of the bushing.

To assure proper operation of the lubricating system hereinabove described, it is necessaryto have a sufiicient supply of oil in pulley hous ng chamber 12 (Figure 5). Preferably this chamber is maintained about half full of oil, and as there is some loss of oil from possible leakageand evaporation, it is necessary to have a supply available to maintain, the proper level. To this end I provide an oil reservoir generally incommunicates with an oil filler generally in-' dicated at I23.

Reservoir I22 includes a chamber I24 (Figure 6), preferably U-shaped and of sufllcient capacity for the purpose intended. Outlet I25 (Figure 5).of reservoir I22 communicates with a channel I26 formed in pulley housing 52 when ,reservoir I22 is bolted thereto as by bolts I21, a asket I28 preferably being clamped between the reservoir and pulley housing to prevent oil leakage. As shown in Figure 6, reservoir chamber I24 has an upper extension I29 having an opening I30 formed therein which receives the nozzle I3I of an oil conduit generally indicated at I32 (Figure '5). Adjacent the upper end of nozzle I3I the conduit is provided with oppositely extending wings or flanges. I33 and I34, which substantially cover reservoir opening I30 without resting against the top of. chamber extension I29, so as to permit free motion of the spindle unit with the attached reservoir I22 and the passage of air into the reservoir for a purpose described below;

Oil conduit I32 is preferably slightly inclined from the horizontal to facilitate flow of oil therethrough and extends from a preferably vertical plate or flange I35, by which conduit I32 and filler of easing II.' The channel I320. of oil conduit I32 extends to the left through plate I35, as viewed in'Figure 5, to terminate in a chamber I31 formed in the base I38 of oil filler I23. One

at I39 to permit access to chamber I31.

The top of flller base I38 has a flange I40,.

providing a seat for a gasket I4I on which a cylindrical filler glass I 42 rests. Filler I23 in.-

cludes a flanged cap I43 which, with'a gasket I44, rests on the top of filler glass I42. Cap I43 has bosses I45 formed thereon through which extend studs I46, the bottom ends of which,

when threaded into filler base I 38, securely clamp and seal filler glass I42 between the filler .cap and base. Filler cap I43 also includes a drilled and interiorly threaded extension I41 into which a plug generally indicated at I48 is threaded. The lower end I49 or plug I40 is reduced andextends through a gland I50 to preclude passage of air through filler cap extension I41. Also, 1 preferably provide a gasket I5I in the knurled'head I 48a of plug I48 which bears against the top of filler cap extension I 41 when plug I48 is screwed to seal the filler.

The bottom of plug end I49 abuts the top of a plunger I52 slidably disposed within the upper 'end I53 of a valve generally indicated at I54. A portion I55 of valve I54 is threaded into filler bottom I38 and preferably sealed therein with oil-proof cement. Extending downwardly from threaded portion I55 of the valve is a cage I56 within which a ball I51 is disposed. This ball rests on the upper end of a spring I58 disposed within a hole I59 bored in filler base I38.

Plunger I52 and valve I54 are so proportioned with respect to ball I51 and spring I58 that when the several .parts are in the position shown,

of the spring downwardly from the seat I54a of valve I54, to permit flow of oil from filler glass I42 to conduit passage I32a. When, for

purposes of replenishing the supply of oil with- I23 are attached to a portion IIa' down thereon further I side I3Ia of the nozzle opening is higher than its other side I 3Ib. The oil level in reservoir I22 determines whether or not oil can flow from filler I23 (Figure 5) into reservoir I22 (Figure 6). If the oil level is above side I3Ia of nozzle I3I, oil

cannot flow from the nozzle into the reservoir as to do so under the stated conditions would create a vacuum within filler glass I42 (Figure 5). If, however, the oil level drops below side I3Ia (Figure 6) of conduit nozzle I3I, the air which I can enter reservoir I22 through its opening I30 beneath conduit wings I33 and I34, bubbles up through conduit nozzle I3I and conduit passage I32a into filler glass I42, to prevent formation of a vacuum therein. Thus as air flows into glass I42, oil can flow therefrom into reservoir I22. The inclination of filler nozzle I3I, as described above, facilitates the flow of oil downwardlyand the bubbling of air upwardly therethrough, and tends to prevent the formation of an oilfllm across the opening of nozzle I3I which might occur were the nozzle verticaL. Such a film might prevent necessary flow of oil.

From the above, it may be seen that filler I23, reservoir I22 and impeller pump 8| (Figure ,5) supply an ample quantity of oil to the various bearing surfaces of spindle 15, its housing I6 and to ball bearing 64. Through the various channels and pipes in spindle housing I6, all as described above, bushing 14 (Figure 3) at the upper end of the spindle is amply supplied with .011, while ball bearing 64 (Figure 5) is amply lubricated by oil which runs down spindle 15 over a deflector collar 15b and collects in the bottom of the spindle housing over felt washer 60. Furthermore, the oil level in chamber" in pulley housing 52 is maintained at the proper level through the described operation of reservoir I22 and filler I23.

As heretofore described, bosses 20, 2I and 22 (Figure 2), of motor mounting plate I8, are provided with elongated slots. These slots permit pivotal movement of motor I4 about its fastening stud 23 in boss I9 when the several studs are loosened for the purpose of displacing the motor axis relative to the axis of spindle housing I6 as desired, to adjust the tautness of belts I60 of belt and pulley drive I5. Such adjustment is maintained by adjustment of set screw 24, which extends into the slot in boss 2I and bears against motor stud 23. It might also be noted at this point that by reason of the spaced parallel relationship of the axes of motor I4 and spindle housing I6, access to each may readily be had as required, without necessitating any great amount of disassembly of the machine as a whole. Through the provision of trap door 29 (Figure 1) the various parts within transmission chamber 25a in base I0 are easily accessible. Also in this connection, as base I0 is secured to casing II by bolts I2, these two parts are readily separable as may be desired.

With reference to Figure 1, it will be seen that casing II includes a generallyfunnel-shaped portion I6I which narrows at its lowerend to a flanged opening I62 connectable as desired to a bin or conduit (not shown). The top of funnel or casing portion I 6| is closed by a cover I63 which may be secured in closed position by suitable swing bolts and wing nuts I66 (Figure 2).

Cover I63 includes a pair of bosses I64 and I65;

and an elongated shaft I61 (see also Figure 1) extends through boss I64 wherein it is securely fastened to prevent relative movement therebetween. This shaft extends downwardly from cover I 63 outside of easing II, and through a bracket I68 bolted to top 25 of base I0. As shown in Figure 1, the lower end of shaft I61 extends below the bottom of base I0 and rests on one end of a leaf spring I69, the other end of which is clamped to casing flange 35 by bolt I2. Spring I69 biases shaft I61 and accordingly cover I63 upwardly to assist the operator in raising the cover.

The lower end of shaft I61 has an elongated key I10 secured therein and this key is slidable within a slot (not shown) formed in bracket I68. Through the provision of this key and slot, pivotal or swinging movement of cover I63 relative to rotor I1 is impossible until the key clears 'the slot. When the shaft and cover have been raised high enough for the key to clear its slot, the cover may be swung over the top of spindle nut I0 I. To guide and assist in holding cover I63 (Figure 2) in'its proper position on top of casing section I6I, another shaft I1I is secured in boss I65, and when the cover is in closed position, this shaft extends through a hole in a boss (not shown) on casing section I6I. Shaft "I, however, is shorter than shaft I61, and accordingly no provision for its reception in base I0 is necessary. It should be noted that when cover I63 is raised to its upper position, the bottom of key I10 may ride on the top of bracket I68 as the cover is swung to prevent it from dropping.

Casing section I6I has preferably integrally formed therewith an inner partition I12 (Figures 1 and 9) which divides the interior of the casing into two channels I13 and I14. The inner and outer walls of each of these channels are respectively formed by walls I15 and I16of casing sec tion I6I, wall I15 being substantially cylindrical in shape and terminating in a mounting flange I11 at its upper end (see also Figure 3). The left-hand side of casing section I6I (Figure 1) is inclined from the vertical, whereas the righthand side thereof is preferably substantially vertical so that the casing section narrows from top to bottom. Inasmuch as the channels I13 and I14 must follow around the inner wall I15 while progressing downward toward the common opening I62, these channels are helical in shape; also progressive cross sections downwardly of channels I13 and I14 do not materially vary in shape at their bottoms but both increase in depth until they merge at opening I62 at which point they occupy the entire height of easing section I6 I. I have found that by so arranging channels I13 and I14, the flow of the treated flour from the treatment zone at the top of casing II is considerably expedited.

As noted above, inner wall I15 of casing section I61 (Figure 3) terminates in mounting flange I11 for the upper end of spindle housing I6. The upper end of spindle housing I6 has an outwardly extending flange I18 formed thereon through which extend a number of bolts I19 which are threaded into a disc I underlying housing flange I18. Disc I80 is attached as by in a circle instead of in a point.

secured to the top of casing wall flange In as by bolts I83. Thus the top of spindle housing I8 is flexibly or resiliently connected by way of rubber ring I8I to flange I11 of casing wall I15 so that a limited. amount of relative movement is possible therebetween. During the operation of my machine, spindle 15 may rotate at a rate on the order of 4000 R. P. M., and if, for any reason, the flour being treated by rotor I1 should clog in one portion thereof and unbalance the rotor, the center of gravity of the rotor would shift relative to its center of rotation, i. e. the axis of spindle 15, and if suitable compensation were not provided for this displacement, a serious condition of vibration would result. In other words, the tendency would be for the rotating mass, i. e. rotor I1 and flour clogged therein to' rotate around the center of gravity with the result that certain forces would be set up, causing undue pressure of the upper part of spindle 15 on bushing 14. By reason, however, of the flexible mounting provided by rubber ring I8I, spindle 15 and accordingly rotor I1 can move relative to casing II, thus permitting the rotor and shaft to rotate about any center of gravity within reasonable limits caused by the unbalanced condition of the rotor. v

To limit the displacement of the center of rotation, I provide a rubber buffer ring I89 (Figure 3) which is secured in a circular slot in the upper part of spindle housing I6 within and adjacent to the inner periphery of resilient ring I82. It may now be seen that if rotor I1 becomes unbalanced and causes ,radial displacement of spindle 15 and accordingly spindle housing I6, this displacement will occur at the same speed as the rotation of the spindle. In other words, the center of the spindle at its top will rotate By reason of the lower flexible mounting of spindle housing I6 (Figure 5) provided by U-shaped spring 46, this rotation of the center of spindle 15 at the top is made possible. Furthermore, the provision of spring 46 is a positive deterrent to rotation of spindle housing I6 relative to casing I I so that in the event of abnormal friction between bushing 14 (Figure 3) and spindle 15, there will be no torque transmitted to the bond between rubber ring I8I andrings I80 and I82.

As pointed out hereinabove, rotor I1 (Figure 3) is secured to the top of spindle 15. The rotor includes a body generally indicated at 53 comprising a head "at and an intermediate or side portion I1b from which a base I1c extends. The outer surface of rotor side portion I1b, which may be curved, is inclined from the horizontal plane of the top I85 of rotor base I10 and this inclination may be generally on the order of 45. The outer surface of rotor head Ila is preferably more steeply inclined from the horizontal. Thus rotor body 53 is generally semi-pseudospherical in shape which, I have found, effects a substantially uniform distribution of the flour through out the treating zone of the rotor.

Extending upwardly through rotor base I10 are four vertical stud bolts I86, I81, I88 (Figure 4) and I89, the former two of which, as shown in Figure 3, have bushings I90 disposed thereabout and resting on surface I85 of rotor base I1c. Stud bolts I88 and I89 (Figure 4) are preferably unbushed and difierent in size, bolt I88 preferably being larger than bolt I89 for a purpose and position with which will be described. These four stud bolts I85-I89 are equi-angularly spaced about rotor base He and support proper operative position a plurality of rotor discs I9I.

Each of discs [9| is provided with four holes tlnough two of which bushed stud bolts I88 and I8] extend, and through the other two of which stud bolts I88 and I89 (Figure 4) extend. Of course, the latter two holes are different in size so as to conform to the dltferent sized bolts I88 and I89. I90 (Figure Through the Provision of bushings 3) assembly of the several plates is facilitated and still a snug fit is effected between the plates and stud bolts. Inasmuch as bolts I88 and I89 (Figure 4) are of diiferent size, it is possible to assemble plates I9I thereon in one position only, thus assuring that the discs will always be assembled in the proper relationship respect to one another so that the initial balancing of the rotor as av whole cannot subsequently be destroyed upon reassembly.

As is more clearly shown in Figure 7, the bottom A or each disc I9I is horizontal, whereas the top B thereof is slightly inclined from the horizontal with the plate at its outer periphery exceeds that at its inner. Also, each of these discs has a plurality of holes I92 equi-angularly' spaced about its outer periphery, each adapted to receive a spacer stud I93. Stud I93 is preferably T-shaped in vertical cross section and accordlngly has a broader head than shank. As the head of each spacer I93 extends above the plane of the top of its disc I9I, the several spacers on each disc hold the disc immediately above a predetermined distance therefrom. Hence, adjacent surfaces of adjacent discs define a frusto-conical gap C (Figure 7) wider at its entrance or inner end than at its outer or exit end. Preferably the entrance D of gap C is substantially widened through the provision of a bevel I9Ic atthe upper edge of the inner periphery of each of discs I9I. Thus, as is mor clearly shown in Figure 3, when a plurality of plates I9I are assembled on rotor base I'Ic, a series of spaced gaps C are provided thereby. It is through these spaces C that the flour flows by reason of the centrifugal force generated upon rotation of rotor disc I1. through these gaps, stroyed through the action of the disc surfaces squeezing the insect or catching it and holding it until it is substantially disintegrated through abrasion by the flour flowing thereby. It should be noted that when reference is made to insects, all stages (eggs, larvae, pupae and adults) are contemplated.

The topmost plate I9I b (Figure 3) underlies a clamp plate I96, and fits about bushings I (Figure 4) and stud bolts I88 and I89, being held in position thereon by nuts I threaded on the upper ends of the several stud bolts.

The inner edge I94a of clamp plat lesser diameter than that of the inner edges of plate I9 I, and thus forms a mounting surface for a rotor collar generally indicated at I91. Collar I91 is secured to clamp plate I90 as by stake screws I98, the collar being provided with arcuate cutouts I99 (Figure 4) within which nuts I95 lie when the collar and plate I 94 are secured together. As the caller's thickness is greater than that of nuts I95, the collar acts as a fairing for the nuts, thus precluding excessive noise and objectionable turbulence within casing cover I63. Furthermore, the service of collar I91 as a fairing for the nuts reduces the wind resistance result that the'thickness of the v As the flour flows any insect therein is deat the top which the nuts would offer if completely exposed.

The inner edge I9Ia of collar I91 slopes downwardly and outwardly with respect to the collar's axis, and the upper end ISIb of this edge lies substantially above the lower edge of a throat 200 preferably formed integrally with and extending downwardly from casing cover I63. This edge I9") is sufliciently spaced from the outer surface of throat 200 so as to provide ample clearance to accommodate lateral displacement of the axis of rotation of rotor II, by reason of its becoming unbalanced.

It should also be noted that the lower edge ma of throat 200 is beveled and closer to the surface of rotor head IIa than is the upper edge 200D thereof. Thus the space between rotor head Ila and the inner surface of throat 200 is larger than at the bottom, where the centrifugal force begins to increase rapidly due to th flaring out of rotor portion IIb.

A throat extension 20l (Figure 1), concentric with throat 200 and of the same diameter, is secured to bosses 202 on the top of easing cover I63 as by screws and wing nuts 203, and it is within this extension 20I that spreader I03 whirls. The top of spreader I03 is preferably inclined or beveled as at I03a so as to be more nearly horizontal than rotor head I'Ia. Thus the spreader has the double effect of regulating the feed of flour through throat extension 20I and throat, 200, and of uniformly distributing the flour within rotor I1. It should also be noted that as the space between spreader I03 and throat extension 20I is less than that between rotor portion Nb and the bottom edge 200a of throat 200, the constriction afforded by the spreader meters the flour flowing into throat 200 so as to prevent any possbiility of the throat becoming choked at a point where the rotor head exerts relatively little centrifugal force. In other words, the flow capacity adjacent spreader I03 is less than that adJacent the lower edge of throat 200.

The bottom edge 200a of throat 200, it will be noted, is adjacent the upper end of rotor side portion I'Ib; hence there is no obstruction to the flow of flour outwardly of rotor body 53 in the treatment zone of the rotor.

Spreader I03 also has a further function, in addition to those heretofore described. When a stoppage occurs in rotor II by reason of flour or some foreign particle clogging between rotor plates It" and the center of gravity of the rotor accordingly shifts laterally, the upper end of spindle I5 rotates in a circle instead of a point, as described. The effect of this is to cause spreader I03 to travel in a circular path inside of throat extension 20I, Hence at any instant, under such circumstances, there is one point on the periphery of spreader I03 which is nearer to throat extension 20l than any other point on the spreader, and that former point lies above the center of mass of the stoppage in rotor plates I9I and in the vertical plane passing therethrough. Thus the flow of flour into the rotor would be substantially diminished at the clogged portion thereof.

From the above description, it will appear that as flour flows into rotor I'I past spreader I03 and through throat 200, its feed is regulated and it is uniformly distributed to the interior of the rotor where the centrifugal force generated thereby can act on it. This force throws the flour radially of the rotor, causing it to flow uniformly through the gaps between plates I9I, and as the flour flows through these gaps, such insects as may be present therein are destroyed. As the it impinges against the flour is thrown out of the gaps between the plates, sides of casing cover I03, and flows downwardly through the casing through channels I13 and I14 therein to casing opening I62. It will also appear that by reason of the flexible mountings for spindle housing I8 provided through rubber ring I8I and spring 46, such clogging as may occur in rotor I1 causing lateral. displacement thereof is accommodated through the flexibility of these mountings. Still further, by reason of the parallel, spaced relationship of motor I4 and casing II, and the construction thereof as separate units, such vibration as is generated through the rotation of rotor I1 is not transmitted directly to the motor, and also by reason of the separation of the two, each is separately accessible for such repairs or replacement of parts as may become necessary.

Accordingly, I have provided a machine for destroying insects in flour which attains the several objects hereinabove et'forth in a thoroughly practical and eflicient manner.

As many possibleembodiments may be made of the above invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth,

it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as'iliustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In apparatus for destroying insects in a milled product, in combination, means forming a casing construction having an inlet opening at the top thereof, a rotor rotatably mounted in said casing and including a body portion generally semi-pseudospherical in shape and having an imperforate surface, and an outwardly extending annular flange mounted upon the top of said rotor and forming a constriction in said inlet opening, and means for rotating said rotor.

2. In apparatus for destroying insect in a milled product, in combination, a casing, a rotor plates to assist in mounted in said casing and including a body portion having a base extending therefrom, a plurality of plates mounted on said base in spaced relation to form annular gaps therebetween, a plurality of securing studs extending through said securing said plates to said base, a collar extending around each of said studs and through said plates, a stud of smaller diameter than said plurality of studs and extending through said plates to assist in securing said plates to said base, and means for rotating said rotor.

3. In apparatus for destroying insect life, in combination, a base, a spindle housing mounted on said base, a spindle rotatably mounted in said housing, an apertured rotor secured to said spindle and rotatable therewith for destroying insects, casing means secured to said base and enclosing said housing and rotor, said casing means including a cover, a shaft connected to said cover and extending downwardly therefrom into said base, said shaft being raisable to lift said cover, key and slot means associated with said shaft and base to prevent rotation of said shaft and cover while said shaft is in its lower position, said shaft being rotatable when raised to swing said cover and expose said rotor, and spring means for biasing said shaft upwardly. 1

4. In apparatus for destroying insect life, in combination, a base, a spindle housing mounted on said base, a spindle rotatably mounted in said housing, an apertured rotor secured to said spindle and rotatable therewith for destroying insect stroy the insect life of against such surfaces, the combination oi, a

life in flour flowing therethrough, casing means secured to said base and enclosing said housing and rotor, said casing means including a cover, a shaft connected to said cover and extending downwardly therefrom into said base, said shaft being raisable to lift said cover, key and slot means associated with said shaft and base to prevent rotation of said shaft and cover while said shaft is in its lower position, said shaft being rotatable when raised to swing said cover and expose said rotor, spring means for biasing said shaft upwardly, and means for precluding pivotal movement of said shaft until said shaft is elevated a predetermined distance.

5. In apparatus for destroying insect life, in combination, a base, a housing mounted on said base, a spindle rotatably mounted in said housing, an apertured rotor mounted on said spindle for rotation therewith for destroying insect life in a product flowing therethrough, a casing secured to saidbase and enclosing said housing and rotor, and means forming a pair of downwardly extending channels within said casing, the upper ends of said channels being adjacent the bottom of said rotor and adapted to receive the product passing therethrough, at least one of said channels being generally spiral throughout a substantial portion of its extent.

6. In apparatus for destroying insect life, in combination, a base, a bracket secured to said base, a spring secured to said bracket, a spindle housing secured to said spring whereby said housing is resiliently mounted on said base, a spindle rotatably mounted in said housing, means on said spindle and rotatable therewith for destroying insect life, a casing secured to said base'and enclos ing said housing and spindle, and means-formment between every individual ing a flexible connection between said housing and said casing, said flexible connection and said spring being adapted to accommodate lateral displacement of the axis of rotation of said spindle.

7. In apparatus for destroying insect life in a milled produce wherein the produce is forced with suflicient velocity against treating surfaces to deby abrasion and impact theresaid treating device and another said treating device.

said base, a spindle base constituting the main support of the apparatus, a high speed motor mounted on said base, a driving member secured to said motor to be driven thereby, a casing rigidly connected to housing flexibly connected at its upper end to said casing and its lower end to said base, a spindle rotatably mounted in said housing and having its lower end extending into said base, a driven member attached to the lower end of said spindle, driving means connecting said driving and driven members whereby operation of said motor rotates said spindle at high speed, a rotor mounted on the upper end of said spindle within said casing and having treatment surfaces against which any insect life in the produce is abraded and impacted to effect the destruction thereof during rotation of the rotor, and a cover plate secured to said casing and enclosing said rotor.

8. In apparatus for effecting the destruction of all insect life in a flowable product composed of individual solid parts, the combination of, a rotary treating device, confining means associated with said device and forming a treating space confined to the dimensions or said device and having an inlet forming an unrestricted passageway to allow a substantially even stream of said product to flow to said treating space, the smallest dimension-of said treating space being larger than the maximum dimension of the individual parts of said product, means for flexibly mounting said rotary treating device within said confining means, means to feed said product to said inlet so that it may flow through said treating space, and means to rotate said treating device at a high speed to provide a life destroying engage- I particle oi insect life and said treating device during passage of said product through said treating space, said apparatus including a product outlet one section oi which extends substantially around said treating device so-that the product may fall away from 4 section substanshape and extending away from KURT H. CONLE'Y.

tially helical in- 

